Interview with Marissa Moss

What Readers want to know...

MM: There are too many, from James in James and the Giant Peach to Harry Potter.

SS: Who is your favorite fictional villain?

MM: I'd have to go with a great Shakespearean villain, someone like Iago or Shylock.

SS: If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?

MM: I'd love to go back in time and meet Hatshepsut, the only woman pharaoh in ancient Egypt, since I just finished my first novel, and it's about her. She could tell me everything I got wrong and maybe the few things I got right.

SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?

MM: People who say, "If I had the time, I'd write a children's book." My answer to that is, "If I had the time, I'd be a brain surgeon."

SS: How would you describe perfect happiness?

MM: I feel lucky that I get paid for what I love to do most -- write and draw. That seems like happiness to me!

SS: What’s your greatest fear?

MM: a major earthquake on the Hayward fault, near where I live.

SS: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?

MM: Rome -- it's my favorite city in the world!

SS: With whom in history do you most identify?

MM: When I was a kid, my role model was Leonardo da Vinci -- a man who drew and painted beautifully, but was also a scientist, curious about the natural world. I wouldn't say I identify with Leonardo, but I'd sure like to be as talented as he was!

SS: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?

MM: I'd love to fly, like Superman.

SS: What is your greatest achievement?

MM: I'm not sure it's great, but I'd say getting published.

SS: What’s your greatest flaw?

MM: I speak WAY too fast.

SS: What’s your best quality?

MM: I'm curious about other people and cultures.

SS: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?

MM: I can't imagine being anyone except myself.

SS: What trait is most noticeable about you?

MM: My greatest flaw -- that I speak too fast.

SS: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?

MM: Drawing!

SS: What’s your fantasy profession?

MM: I'm lucky enough to be doing it!

SS: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?

MM: A great sense of humor, willingness to work hard, and curiousity about the world.

SS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?

Quick Start

SS: How would you describe your life in only 8 words?

MM: Reading, Writing, Drawing!

Questions About Books and Writing

SS: Who are your favorite authors?

MM: There are too many to name, but some that come to mind right away are J K Rowling, Christopher Paul Curtis, Karen Cushman, Sharon Creech, Thacher Hurd, Elisa Kleven, Elise Primavera. I could go on and on.

SS: What are your 5 favorite books of all time?

MM: I'd have to say Shakespeare's plays -- The Tempest, Othello, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet.

SS: Is there a book you love to reread?

MM: All of the above (see Shakespeare).

SS: Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?

MM: Rewrite! Most of writing in REwriting.

SS: What comment do you hear most often from your readers?

MM: Amelia is just like me! Since Amelia is me when I was a kid and I felt like nobody was like me, when I hear that, I think, where were you when I was a kid?

General Questions

SS: What is your birthdate?

MM: 9/29

SS: What were your previous occupations?

MM: I waited tables until I got my first book. I'd still be waiting tables. . .

SS: What was/is your favorite job?

MM: The one I have right now -- writing and illustrating books!

SS: Where did you go to high school and/or college?

MM: I went to high school in Palo Alto, near Stanford University, and went to college at U.C. Berkeley.

SS: Name of your favorite composer or music artist?

MM: I have too many favorites to name only one.

SS: What is your favorite movie?

MM: I think Charade is the movie I love most. It's so well written, you can watch it over and over again. Great dialog!

SS: What is your favorite television show?

MM: I think The Office is hilarious. I loved Arrested Development, but it's not on anymore. I guess I like funny series.

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